MGMA In Practice Blog

June 6, 2012

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Written by Madeline Hyden, MGMA web content writer/editor

This is the first blog in a series of posts that outline job descriptions of various positions in a medical practice.

The role physicians play in the nonclinical setting is becoming more complex as the medical practice landscape evolves. We compiled lists of job functions, duties and responsibilities, and compensation considerations to help you put together your medical director’s job description.

Main functions of a medical director:

Holds thesenior medical administrative position in a medical group practice

Responsible for a number of activities related to the delivery of medical care and clinical services such as cost management, utilization review, quality assurance, and medical protocol development

Oversees the activities of group physicians, including the recruiting and credentialing processes

Reports to the physician CEO/president and/or to the governing body of the organization

Directorship duties and responsibilities:

Attend standing meetings (board, committee, etc.)

Develop and manage a budget, including presenting monthly financial reports to practice staff with the support of administration

15 percent more medical directors said they engage in strategic development

12 percent more said they provide guidance and leadership for performance guidelines

14 percent more handle physician relations and/or representation

Medical director compensationThe majority of medical directors represented in the MGMA Medical Directorship and On-Call Compensation Survey: 2012 Report Based on 2011 Data were paid a specified amount on top of their annual physician compensation because the majority of their time was spent on clinical, non-administrative duties. In large practices or systems, medical directors may spend most of their time in an administrative capacity. In turn, their directorship compensation is commensurate with these functions. Depending on your group’s specialty and the scope of responsibility, a medical director may receive a monthly stipend, an hourly rate or an annual compensation.

The amount of time spent on directorship activities also affects compensation.Nearly50 percent of survey respondents indicated they spent fewer than six hours per week on directorship activities, according to the MGMA Medical Directorship and On-Call Compensation Survey: 2012 Report Based on 2011 Data. The survey report also shows that median compensation increased as directorship duties consumed more of a physician’s time. For example, a medical director may receive an additional compensation of $9,000 for two hours per week or less of directorship duties vs. $20,000 for three to five hours per week of directorship duties.

For more information on job descriptions, search the libraries in the MGMA Member Community for example job descriptions and to exchange ideas with your peers.